Footwear

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a footwear sole component and to an article of footwear  2  comprising such a sole component. A sole component is suitably an insole  1  with toe and heel portions  30, 20  connected by an arch portion  40 , the sole component being arranged to form part of a sole of a closed article of footwear  2  having a foot chamber  90 . The sole component includes at least one compressible passage  11  arranged, in use, to have an opening into a first region of the foot chamber  90  and an opening into a second region of the foot chamber  90  such that air can be caused to travel from passage  11  into a second region of the foot chamber  90 , by a pumping effect caused by compression of the passage  11  along at least a part of its extent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a footwear sole component,particularly, though not exclusively, an insole for an article offootwear and to an article of footwear comprising such a sole component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist various types of footwear, including “closed” footwear suchas, for example, boots, shoes and trainers. Articles of closed footwearhave an upper lasted to a sole to form a foot chamber arranged toaccommodate a users foot.

The sole itself can be of a number of constructions but always comprisesan outer sole having an outer surface arranged to contact the ground. Inthe most basic articles of footwear the upper is lasted to this and auser's foot contacts an inner surface of the outer sole. More normallyan article of footwear further comprises an insole arranged to sitbetween the outer sole and a user's foot. Such an insole may beintegrally formed with the article of footwear or may be removabletherefrom.

Articles of footwear may also comprise a mid sole interposed between theinsole and outer sole. Soles can thus have a sandwich structure.

It is also known to provide underbeds (or undersoles) for articles offootwear which can be inserted below an insole to provide another layerto the sole structure.

Regardless of their specific sole construction, closed articles offootwear provide a foot chamber which can be prone to become hot and/orsweaty in use. This can be a particular problem in hot environments,when a wearer exercises, or if the wearer is prone to perspireexcessively.

When a foot chamber becomes hot and/or sweaty it can create severalproblems for a wearer. A wearer may experience discomfort as a result ofthe heat and/or damp environment in which their foot is accommodated.The conditions within the foot chamber may promote bacterial and/orfungal activity and may result in increased creation of malodours and/orskin infections. After use the footwear may retain the malodours andthis can be unpleasant for those around the footwear.

Various attempts have been made to address the above difficulties. Forexample, breathable materials have been employed in the uppers ofarticles of footwear to improve the ventilation of a wearer's foot andallow egress of perspiration from the foot chamber.

Attempts have also been made to increase ventilation in the foot chamberby supplying air from a point external of the foot chamber into the footchamber.

It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,978 to provide articles of footwearhaving a plurality of cavities in the sole which can contain air and arecompressed when the sole contacts the ground to pump air from the soleinto the foot chamber. The cavities are though formed in the outer soleand to enter the foot chamber air must first pass through a porousinsole. Additionally, although the cavities are linked by channels inthe outer sole these are open and enclosed only by the porous insole,thus air may be predominantly pumped into the foot chamber only in theimmediate vicinity of the cavities. The mechanism of ventilation alsorequires the sole to be adapted specifically to comprise cavities forthe purpose of ventilation.

GB 2382017 discloses an under-foot layer which can be an insole,footbed, or mid sole which comprises a plurality of air flow channelsarranged to convey air to a ball/toe portion from a portion of the layerremote therefrom via a branched flow path. However, the under-foot layermust have at least one channel which is connectable to a pump located inthe heel for causing conveyance of the air. The pump can thus complicatethe construction of an article of footwear employing such an under-footlayer and consequently employing the under-foot layer may be undesirablycostly.

The known approaches to tackling the difficulties associated withventilating foot chambers of closed articles of footwear have not provedentirely satisfactory. Accordingly, the present invention aims toaddress at least one disadvantage associated with known articles offootwear whether discussed herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a footwear solecomponent comprising a toe portion and a heel portion connected by anarch portion, the sole component being arranged, in use, to form a partof a sole of a closed article of footwear having a foot chamber, whereinthe sole component comprises at least one compressible passage extendingbetween a first portion of the sole component and a second portion ofthe sole component, which passage is arranged, in use, to have a firstopening into a first region of the foot chamber and a second openinginto a second region of the foot chamber such that air can be caused totravel from said passage into a second region of the foot chamber, by apumping effect caused by compression of the passageway along at least apart of its extent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.

Suitably, the sole component is arranged such that, in use, air can becaused to travel from the first region of the foot chamber to the secondregion via at least one passage therein.

The sole component may be provided as a component of an article offootwear. The sole component may comprise a removable component of anarticle of footwear. Alternatively, the sole component may comprise anintegral part of an article of footwear.

Alternatively, the sole component may be provided as a retro-fitcomponent for a user to add to an article of footwear. Suitably, thesole component can be employed in any type of shoe, boot or trainer.

The sole component may comprise an insole. Suitably, the insolecomprises a removable insole. The insole may be transferable betweenarticles of footwear.

Alternatively, the sole component may comprise an underbed, or a part ofa midsole, arranged to lie immediately below an insole.

Suitably, if the sole component comprises an underbed or part of amidsole, an insole under which it lies will consist of a thin flexiblesheet member. Suitably, the insole will be porous and/or have aperturesto allow the first and second regions of the foot chamber to be incommunication with the openings of one or more passages of the solecomponent.

Suitably, the sole component comprises a plurality of passages. The solecomponent may comprise at least 3 passages, preferably at least 5passages, more preferably at least 20 passages, for example around 30passages. Preferably, there is no fluid communication between thepassages along their extent. Each passage may thus transport airindependently of the others. Suitably, one or more of said passages isresiliently deformable.

Preferably, each passage is compressible. Preferably, a plurality ofpassages are arranged, in use, to be compressed for at least part oftheir extent during a stage of a wearer's walking cycle. Each passagemay be arranged, in use, to be compressed for at least part of itsextent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle. Suitably, at least oneof the or each passage is arranged to be compressed by the weight of apart of a wearer's foot acting on the passage during a stage of thewearers walking cycle. Preferably, each passage is arranged to becompressed in this manner.

Suitably each passage is resiliently deformable. Suitably each passageis resiliently deformable and arranged, in use, to serve as an activepumping means for causing conveyance of air rather than as a passiveconduit which simply carries air. Suitably, the sole component consistsessentially of resiliently deformable passages and means, such as tubewalls, defining said passages.

Suitably, the sole component does not comprise any pumping means inaddition to the one or more passages. Suitably, the sole component canbe employed in an article of footwear which does not comprise anyadditional pumping means. Suitably, the sole component does not compriseany cavities or chambers in communication with said passage or passages.Suitably, said passage or passages do not comprise any enlarged portionswhich would serve as cavities or chambers. The sole component may thusnot rely on the compression of a chamber or cavity to pump air in abellows pump type action. Instead, movement of air through the solecomponent may be caused by progressive compression of passages of thesole component.

Suitably, the sole component does not contain valves.

Suitably, the first portion of the sole component comprises the heelportion thereof. Preferably, the first portion comprises a peripheraledge of the heel portion.

Suitably, the second portion of the sole component comprises the toeportion thereof. Preferably, the second portion comprises a peripheraledge of the toe portion.

Suitably, the first region of the foot chamber accommodates the wearer'sheel.

Suitably, the second region of the foot chamber accommodates thewearer's toes.

Suitably, the sole component is arranged, in use, to suck air in at theheel and transmit it to the toes. After expulsion from the solecomponent at the toes the air may then travel over the top of the foottoward the heel. The sole component may be such that, in use, itsubstantially neither draws in air or expels air from areas other thanthe heel and toe regions.

Suitably, at least one of the or each passage of the sole componentextends longitudinally, the longitudinal direction being from heel totoe. Suitably, each passage of the sole component extendslongitudinally.

Suitably, at least one passage is arranged to be compressible throughoutits longitudinal extent. Preferably, each passage is arranged to becompressible throughout its longitudinal extent. The or each passage maythus be able to provide an active pumping action when compressed at anypoint along its longitudinal extent. Suitably, substantially any part ofthe sole component may act as a pump independently of the rest. The solecomponent may thus not require a force to be applied at a specific pumparea to produce a pumping effect. For example, even if a user walkedonly on the balls of their feet there would still be a pumping effect.

Suitably, one or more passages extend from the heel portion to the toeportion. Suitably, one or more passages extend between peripheral edgesof the heel and toe portion.

Suitably, at least one passage has a cross-sectional area of between 0.1mm² and 15 mm², for example between 0.5 mm² and 5 mm². Suitably, eachpassage has a cross-sectional area of between 0.1 mm² and 15 mm², forexample between 0.5 mm² and 5 mm². Preferably, the or each passage hasthe same cross-sectional area throughout its extent. The or each passagemay comprise throated portions to assist the expulsion of air therefrom. The passages may thus have substantially the same cross-sectionalarea throughout their extent except at said throated portions.

Suitably, the or each passage comprises an enclosed and open endedconduit. Suitably, the conduit is formed from a substantially gasimpermeable and resiliently deformable material. Suitably, the or eachpassage comprises a tube. The or each tube may comprise a cylindricaltube. Preferably, the sole component comprises a plurality of tubes.Preferably, the sole component comprises an array of parallel passageswhich preferably comprise tubes. Suitably, the sole component comprisesa plurality of tubes lying side by side. Suitably, the tubes areconjoined.

Suitably, at least one tube has an outer diameter of between 1 mm and 5mm. Suitably, each tube has a diameter of between 1 mm and 5 mm.Suitably, each tube has an outer diameter of around 3 mm.

Suitably, the or each tube has a wall thickness of between 0.25 mm and1.6 mm.

Suitably, the sole component comprises a resiliently deformable polymer.Suitably, the sole component comprises a resiliently deformable rubber,plastics or thermoplastic rubber material. Suitably, the or each tubecomprises a resiliently deformable rubber, plastics or thermoplasticrubber material. The sole component may comprise silicone rubber.Alternatively, the sole component may comprise PVC or natural rubber.

Each tube may be bonded to one or more adjacent tubes. Adjacent tubesmay be directly bonded to one another. Alternatively, adjacent tubes maybe joined by a bridging wall. Alternatively, or in addition, the tubesmay be mounted to a backing sheet.

The tubes may be spaced apart to provide a gap into which the tube wallscan deform when the tubes are compressed in use. The tubes may bemounted to a backing sheet in said spaced relationship.

Suitably, adjacent tubes are joined by a bridging wall which suitablyholds the tubes in spaced relationship when they are uncompressed.Suitably, a bridging wall connects adjacent tubes at the tubes equators.The sole component may comprise a plurality of bridging walls which mayconnect adjacent tubes at their equators. Alternatively, the solecomponent may comprise a backing sheet which comprises a single bridgingwall connecting the tubes. Suitably, the bridging wall or walls andtubes are formed integrally. The bridging wall or walls and tubes may beformed by extrusion.

Suitably, the tubes are spaced such that the axis of adjacent tubes liea distance of around πd/2 from one another (where d is the tubediameter). The sole component may thus be compressible to asubstantially flat form.

The tubes and backing sheet may be formed integrally, for example byextrusion. Alternatively, the tubes may be adhered to a backing sheet.

The sole component may comprise an insole and the backing sheet maycomprise a covering for the tubes arranged, in use, to be interposedbetween the tubes and a user's foot. Suitably, the covering comprises acloth material. Alternatively, the covering may comprise a leathermaterial.

Alternatively, the sole component may comprise a first (upper) andsecond (lower) sheet spaced apart by a plurality of walls, said wallsbeing arranged to define conduits between themselves and the first andsecond sheets. The walls may be spaced apart to provide a gap into whichthe walls can deform when the sole component is compressed in use. Thewalls and first and second sheets may be formed integrally, for exampleby extrusion.

The sole component may comprise an insole and a covering may be providedfor the first sheet and be arranged, in use, to be interposed betweenthe first sheet and a user's foot. Suitably, the covering comprises acloth material. Alternatively, the covering may comprise a leathermaterial.

Preferably, the or each passage is arranged, in use, to convey air to asecond region of a foot chamber by means of a peristaltic pumpingaction.

Suitably, in use, when a wearer is walking and/or running with a normalgait the portion of at least one passage in the heel portion of the solecomponent is compressed as a wearers foot (in the footwear) strikes theground. As the wearer rocks their foot forward to continue walking theirweight may move along the sole component toward the toe portion thereof.Accordingly, the portion of the passage in the arch region and thensubsequently the toe region of the sole component may be compressedwhile the heel portion of the passage and then subsequently the archregion of the passage may expand to their former configuration.

Air in the passage in front of the compressed portion may thus be forcedalong and out of the passage into the toe region of the foot chamber.

As weight is moved along the sole component toward the toe air may bedrawn into and along the passage from the heel region of the footchamber.

Suitably, the sole component comprises an extruded component.

Suitably, the sole component comprises an insole.

Suitably, the insole is arranged such that at least a part of aperipheral edge of the heel portion does not abut the heel part of theupper of an article of footwear in use. There may thus be a clearairflow pathway between the upper and the peripheral edge of the insolesuch that air can be drawn into an opening of one or more passages inthe insole from the heel region of the foot chamber.

Suitably, the insole is arranged such that at least a part of aperipheral edge of the toe portion does not abut the toe part of theupper of an article of footwear in use. There may thus be a clearairflow pathway between the upper and the peripheral edge of the insolesuch that air can be expelled through an opening of one or more passagesin the insole into the toe region of the foot chamber.

Suitably, the sole component is arranged such that when a wearer isstanding still, in use, the user's weight will be supportedsubstantially without the passages collapsing. Suitably, the solecomponent is arranged such that passages will collapse, in use, when auser walks. Suitably, the passages will collapse when a user runs.

Suitably, the sole component is arranged to support a pressure of atleast 20 kPa, preferably at least 40 kPa, for example at least 80 kPa,substantially without the passages collapsing.

Suitably, the sole component is arranged such that the passagessubstantially fully collapse when a pressure exerted thereon exceeds 200kPa, preferably when it exceeds 150 kPa, for example when it exceeds 100kPa.

Suitably, the sole component is arranged such that the passagessubstantially fully collapse when subjected to a pressure of between 40kPa and 200 kPa.

The insole may be manufactured with a predetermined configuration toallow it to fit within an article of footwear having a particular size.The insole may be configured such that it can be fitted into an articleof footwear having a particular standard size. A standard size might forexample be a UK mens size 9 shoe.

The insole is suitably thin. The insole may have a thickness of lessthan 10 mm, preferably less than 7 mm, for example of 5 mm or less.Suitably, the insole has a thickness of between 3 and 5 mm. The insolemay thus be suitable for fitting into substantially any article ofclosed footwear without adversely affecting a wearer's comfort. Theinsole may thus be suitable for use as a retro-fit component.

The insole may be such that it can be cut to size. Suitably, the insolewhen provided as a retro-fit component is configured such that it can becut to fit within an article of footwear having a particular size withina predetermined range. Suitably, the insole may fit within an article offootwear having the maximum size in said predetermined range withoutcutting.

Suitably, the insole is provided with one or more markings to indicatewhere it should be cut to provide a predetermined configuration whichwill allow it to fit within an article of footwear having a particularsize. Preferably, the or each marking indicates configurations whichwill allow the insole to be fitted into an article of footwear havingone of a number of particular standard sizes. Suitably, markingsindicate at least two configurations to which the insole could be cutand each configuration corresponds to a standard footwear size.Suitably, the uncut insole corresponds to a standard footwear size. Theinsole may thus be suitable for fitting into at least three differentstandard sizes of footwear.

Suitably, the insole is provided with markings to indicate where itshould be cut to provide configurations which correspond to at least 3different standard sizes, more preferably at least 4, for example atleast 5.

The standard sizes may be determined by any one of a number of knownstandards, for example they may be UK, US or continental Europeanstandard sizes.

The insoles may be provided with markings corresponding to mens sizes orwomens sizes or both.

An insole may for example be configured such that it fits a UK mens size12 shoe without cutting and may be provided with markings to indicatewhere it should be cut to provide a configuration which fits within a UKmens size 11, 10, 9, 8 or 7 shoe.

An insole may for example be configured such that it fits a UK ladiessize 9 shoe without cutting and may be provided with markings toindicate where it should be cut to provide a configuration which fitswithin a UK ladies size 8, 7, 6, 5 or 4 shoe.

As an alternative to providing the insole with one or more markings atemplate which can be employed to indicate where the insole should becut to provide a predetermined configuration which will allow it to fitwithin an article of footwear having a particular size may be provided.The template may be a paper template. The template may be provided withone or more markings to indicate where it should be cut to provide apredetermined configuration in which its peripheral edge is such that itwill fit within an article of footwear having a particular size. Thetemplate may then be held against the insole and the insole cut to sizeusing the template as a guide once a user is happy the template iscorrectly sized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda closed article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole forming afoot chamber therebetween wherein the sole comprises a sole componentcomprising a toe portion and a heel portion connected by an arch portionand comprises at least one compressible passage extending between afirst portion of the sole component and a second portion of the solecomponent, which passage is arranged to have a first opening into afirst region of the foot chamber and a second opening into a secondregion of the foot chamber such that, in use, air can be caused totravel from said passage into a second region of the foot chamber, by apumping effect caused by compression of the passageway along at least apart of its extent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.

Suitably, the sole component comprises a sole component according to thefirst aspect. Suitably, the sole component comprises an insole.Suitably, the insole is removable. Suitably, the sole comprises an outersole and a sole component comprising an insole. Suitably, the solefurther comprises a midsole. The article of footwear may comprise aboot, shoe or trainer.

Suitably, in use, when a wearer is walking and/or running with a normalgait the portion of at least one passage in the heel portion of the solecomponent is compressed as a wearers foot (in the footwear) strikes theground. As the wearer rocks their foot forward to continue walking theirweight may move along the sole component toward the toe portion thereof.Accordingly, the portion of the passage in the arch region and thensubsequently the toe region of the sole component may be compressedwhile the heel portion of the passage and then subsequently the archregion of the passage may expand to their former configuration.

Air in the passage in front of the compressed portion may thus be forcedalong and out of the passage into the toe region of the foot chamber.

As weight is moved along the sole component toward the toe air may bedrawn into and along the passage from the heel region of the footchamber.

Shortly before a wearers foot leaves the ground, suitably only the endof the toe region of the passage is compressed. When a user's foot isremoved from the ground the passage is suitably fully uncompressed andmay be filled with air. That air may be almost entirely drawn from theheel region.

When a user's foot contacts the ground once again the process may berepeated. Thus, cooler and/or dryer air from the heel of the footchamber may be effectively supplied to the toe region to displace warmerand/or damper air therefrom.

Air from the toe region may circulate within the foot chamber to theheel region and/or it may be expelled from the foot chamber through abreathable upper of the footwear.

The air drawn into the sole component at the heel region of the footchamber may comprise air circulated to the heel region from the footregion of the chamber. Suitably, such circulated air may cool the footduring circulation to the heel region. Alternatively, or in addition theair drawn into the sole component at the heel region of the foot chambermay comprise fresh air drawn into the foot chamber. The fresh air may bedrawn into the foot chamber through a breathable upper of the footwear.Alternatively, or in addition, the fresh air may be drawn into the footchamber via a gap between a wearers heel and ankle and the upper of thefootwear.

Suitably, the circulation of air around the wearers foot and inparticular around the toes may reduce problems associated with closedfootwear and may improve a wearers comfort.

According to a third aspect there is provided a method of manufacturinga sole component according to the first aspect.

Suitably the method comprises forming a sole component by an extrusionprocess.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method of manufacturingan article of footwear according to the second aspect.

Suitably the method comprises forming a sole component by an extrusionprocess.

According to a fifth aspect there is provided a kit of parts comprising:

-   -   (i) two insoles; and    -   (ii) instructions for cutting the insoles to each fit an article        of footwear of a specific standard size wherein the insoles are        as described in the first aspect.

The kit may further comprise a template to be employed to indicate wherean insole should be cut to fit an article of footwear of a specificstandard size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will now be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sole component;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sole component showing hidden detail;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative sole componentcorresponding to the view along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an article of footwear showing hidden detail;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C of an article offootwear;

FIGS. 8 a-d show cross-sectional views of an article of footwear alongline C-C at various stages of a walking cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 4 a first embodiment of a sole componentcomprises an insole 1 arranged to fit within an article of footwear 2.

The insole 1 comprises a plurality of silicone rubber tubes 10 havingpassageways 11 therethrough, arranged side by side and bonded together.Most of the tubes 10 are arranged to extend between a heel portion 20and a toe portion 30 via an arch portion 40. Each of the passageways 11of these has a first opening 21 at the peripheral edge 22 of the heelportion 20 and a second opening 31 at the peripheral edge 32 of the toeportion 30. Owing to the shape of the insole some tubes 10 and thuspassageways 11 do not extend from the heel portion 20 to the toe portion30. Such tubes can though still perform an active role as will bediscussed hereinafter.

In the illustrated example, the insole 10 is sized such that it will fita UK mens size 11 shoe. It is provided with markings 15, 16, 17indicating where it should be cut to provide an insole that will fit aUK mens size 10, 9 or 8 shoe.

The insole can be cut to shape using a pair of scissors.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the sole componentcomprises an insole which comprises a plurality of compressible tubesdefining passageways. Adjacent tubes are spaced apart from one anotherand the tubes are connected by bridging walls. Otherwise the alternativeembodiment may substantially correspond to that of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Each bridging wall extends from the equator of one tube to the equatorof an adjacent tube. The insole is produced by extrusion such that thebridging walls and tubes are integral. The axis of adjacent tubes of theinsole are spaced a distance of πd/2 from one another (where d is thetube diameter). The separation between the tubes may provide greaterspace into which the tubes may deform in use. The sole component maythus be compressible to a substantially flat form.

As illustrated by FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment of the sole componentcomprises an insole 1. The insole 1 is substantially the same as that ofthe first embodiment in FIG. 2 but the passageways 11 are not defined bytubes 10. Instead, the insole comprises a first silicon rubber sheet 50spaced from a second silicon rubber sheet 60 by silicone rubber walls70. The walls 70 extend in the heel to toe direction and separate thespace between the first and second sheets 50, 60 into a plurality ofpassageways 11.

In each of the embodiments the insole 1 is deformable such that one ormore of the passageways 11 can be compressed, in use, by the weight of auser's foot.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an article of footwear 2, namely a shoe whichshows the hidden detail of the outline of the inner face 81 of the upper80 and the outline of the insole's peripheral edge 12. In the embodimentshown the insole 1 comprises a removable insole as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown by FIGS. 6 and 7, the insole 1 is shaped such that there is aspace between the openings 21, 31 of the passageways 11 and the upper80. Thus, there is a clear air flow path between a heel region 91 of thefoot chamber 90 (formed between the upper 80 and the sole 100) and thepassageways 11 of the insole 1. There is also a clear air flow pathbetween a toe region 92 of the foot chamber 90 and the passageways 11 ofthe insole 10.

The sole 100 comprises an outer sole 101, a midsole 102 and the insole1.

In use, one or more of the passageways is compressed by the weight of awearer's foot as they walk or run and air is expelled from thecompressed passageway(s) via openings 31 into the toe region 92 of thefoot chamber 90.

The intended operation, which is produced by a wearer having a normalgait, is illustrated by FIGS. 8 a to 8 d.

As a wearer's foot 3 within the footwear 2 first engages the ground 4(FIG. 8 a) the heel 103 contacts the ground 4. The heel portion 20 ofthe insole 1 is thus compressed between the wearer's heel and themidsole 102. One or more passageways (only one shown) 11 are thuscompressed and air expelled therefrom as shown by arrow D.

As the wearer carries on walking the ball 104 of the sole 100 contactsthe ground (FIG. 8 b). The user's weight shifts within the footwear 2such that the arch portion 40 of the insole 1 is compressed expellingmore air from the passage 11 as shown by arrow D. As weight begins tolift off the heel portion 20 the passageways 11 in that portion returnto their former configuration and air is drawn in as shown by arrow E.

With continued walking as shown by FIG. 8 c the user's weight shiftssuch that the toe portion 30 of the insole 1 is compressed expellingmore air from the passageway 11 as shown by arrow D. The portion of theinsole 10 behind the area to which the weight of the foot is appliedexpands and the passageways 11 in that portion regain their formerconfiguration and draw in more air as shown by arrow E.

When the foot and footwear are moved through the position shown by FIG.8 c the tubes in the toe region 30 which, due to the insoles shape,extend from the peripheral edge 32 of the toe portion only as far as thearch portion 40 and not to the heel portion 20 (FIG. 2), also perform anactive role. Air is expelled from the tubes 10 passageways 11 viaopenings 31 and drawn into them via openings 21.

When a user lifts their foot off the ground as shown by FIG. 8 d thepassageways 11 are fully expanded and filled with air.

Thus, when a user's foot next contacts the ground the process isrepeated.

The present invention may thus provide a sole component for ventilatingan article of footwear simply and reliably. It may also provide a solecomponent which is economical and can be fitted to existing footwear.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filedconcurrently with or previous to this specification in connection withthis application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

1. A footwear sole component comprising a toe portion and a heel portionconnected by an arch portion, the sole component being arranged, in use,to form a part of a sole of a closed article of footwear having a footchamber, wherein the sole component comprises at least one compressiblepassage extending between a first portion of the sole component and asecond portion of the sole component, which passage is arranged, in use,to have a first opening into a first region of the foot chamber and asecond opening into a second region of the foot chamber such that aircan be caused to travel from said passage into a second region of thefoot chamber, by a pumping effect caused by compression of the passagealong at least a part of its extent during a stage of a wearers walkingcycle.
 2. A footwear sole component which comprises an insole having atoe portion and a heel portion connected by an arch portion, the solecomponent being arranged, in use, to form a part of a sole of a closedarticle of footwear having a foot chamber, wherein the sole componentcomprises at least one compressible passage extending between a firstportion of the sole component and a second portion of the solecomponent, which passage is arranged, in use, to have a first openinginto a first region of the foot chamber and a second opening into asecond region of the foot chamber such that air can be caused to travelfrom said passage into a second region of the foot chamber, by a pumpingeffect caused by compression of the passage along at least a part of itsextent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.
 3. A sole componentaccording to claim 2, wherein the sole component has a thickness ofabout 10 mm or less and can be cut to size.
 4. A sole componentaccording to claim 2, wherein the sole component is arranged such that,in use, air can be caused to travel from the first region of the footchamber to the second region via at least one passage therein.
 5. A solecomponent according to claim 2, wherein the first portion of the solecomponent comprises a heel portion thereof and the second portion of thesole component comprises a toe portion thereof.
 6. A sole componentaccording to claim 2, wherein the sole component comprises a pluralityof passages.
 7. A sole component according to claim 2, wherein saidpassage has substantially the same cross section throughout its extent.8. A sole component according to claim 2, wherein said passage isarranged to be compressed by the weight of part of a wearer's footacting on the passage during a stage of the wearers walking cycle.
 9. Asole component according to claim 2, wherein said passage is able toprovide an active pumping action when compressed at any point along itslongitudinal extent.
 10. A sole component according to claim 2, whereinsaid passage is arranged, in use, to convey air to a second region of afoot chamber by means of a peristaltic pumping action.
 11. A solecomponent according to claim 2, wherein the sole component does notcomprise any pumping means in addition to the one or more passages. 12.A closed article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole forming afoot chamber therebetween wherein the sole comprises a sole componentcomprising a toe portion and a heel portion connected by an arch portionand comprises at least one compressible passage extending between afirst portion of the sole component and a second portion of the solecomponent, which passage is arranged to have a first opening into afirst region of the foot chamber and a second opening into a secondregion of the foot chamber such that, in use, air can be caused totravel from said passage into a second region of the foot chamber, by apumping effect caused by compression of the passage along at least apart of its extent during a stage of a wearers walking cycle.
 13. Anarticle of footwear according to claim 11, wherein the sole componentcomprises an insole.
 14. A method of manufacturing a sole componentaccording to claim 1, which method comprises forming a sole component byan extrusion process.
 15. A method of manufacturing an article offootwear according to claim 11, which method comprises forming a solecomponent by an extrusion process.
 16. A kit of parts comprising: (i)two insoles according to claim 2; and (ii) instructions for cutting theinsoles to each fit an article of footwear of a specific standard size.